Picture frame or the like



Sept 10, 1946. s MADSEN 2,407,431,

PiCIURE FRAME OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 19, 1945 mg NTOR..

Patented Sept. 10, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,407,431 PICTUREFRAME on THE LIKE Stanley Madsen, Princeton, N. J. Application November19, 1943, Serial No. 510,954-

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in picture framesor like articles, and has for its principal object the provision of anovel frame structure which may be formed from a single blank of sheetmaterial such as paper, cardboard, or the like.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is the provisionof an inexpensive article of this general character which may be die cutor otherwise formed from a blank of flexible material, and which mayoccupy a flat position before the same is assembled into the pictureframe, the latter OperatiOn being quickly and easily performed. Anassembled picture frame constructed in accordance with the present inThe frame of the present invention is especially 7 novel in that itprovides a recessed central portion for the reception of the photographor other picture, and providesan attractive bevelled frame element.

In one form of the invention, the blank may be cut from the flat sheetmaterial, assembled, and the, picture then adhesively secured within therecessed central portion. In another form of the invention, however, therecessed central portion may be sensitized in the usual manner, and thepicture printed on such sensitized portion. The frame may then beassembled, and the frame and photograph thus combined in one integralunit.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novelblank having a square or rectangular central portion for the receptionof a photograph or other picture, and having integrally-formedextensions on all four sides of the central portion, which, whenproperly cut and folded, can be readily formed into a bevelled frameelement. sections are so cut as to provide at each corner section anovel cooperating supporting surface which receives an adjacent surfaceof the corner section, and thus permits the frame to retain its shapefor a long period of time, despite the fact In this connection, thecorner that its adjacent portions may be secured together withoutspecial attaching means. In one form of the invention, the overlappingportions may be secured together by means of an adhesive, and in anotherform of the invention, interlocking tabs may be provided. H v A Otherobjects of the invention will be hereinafter specifically pointed out,or will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

In the drawing:

v Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a corner section of a picture frameembodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a corner section of the blank usedin forming the embodiment ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a corner section of a modifiedembodiment of a picture frame of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a corner section of the blank used in forming the embodimentof Fig. 3.

The first embodiment of the invention may be made from a single blank,which may be rectangular or square. The corner section only 'of theblank is shown, foithe reason thatth'e other three corners are similarlyshaped. The blank includes a central, rectangular section it), forming arecessed panel, formed with fold lines H and I2 along the marginal edgesthereof, and with further fold lines It and I4 spaced therefrom. Betweeneach adjacent pair of these fold lines, inner side wall portions l5 andI6 are provided. The blank further includes fold lines I! and, l8forming diagonal, outwardly-extending walls 19 and 20. Outer side walls2| and 22 are defined by fold lines I1 and 13, respectively, and theadjoining marginal edges of the blank. A short extension 24 extendsbetween fold lines H and I3, and is integrally joined with the terminalof inner side wall I6. The blank is cut out, forming edges 26, 21, 28and 29, respectively. A further fold line 3! defines the inner end of anextension tab 32.

When the frame is to be assembled, inner side wall portions l5 and itare bent to assume a right-angular position relative to the recessedpanel Ill. In this position, the outer terminal 35 of inner side wall l5abuts against extension 24, and thus assures a good mitred fit.Outwardly-extending diagonal side walls l9 and 29 are next folded intoplace, after which outer side walls El and 22 are bent to assume aposition parallel to inner side walls l5 and I6, respectively. Extensiontab 32 is next folded at right angles to the rear of outer side wall 2|.This tab may be secured to side wall 21 by adhesive, by stapling, or byany other suitable means.

When the cut-out portion is formed in the manner shown, a portion of theblank adjacent to edge 28 projects under edge 26, thus forming a supportfor such edge and preventing a space occurring between the two meetingedges in the event that the members are not too accurately formed. Thisgives the frame a very neat appearance, and definitely eliminates thepossibility of unsightly openings forming in the frame. When the fourcorners of the blank are similarly folded, the frame is complete and mayreceive a photograph or any other desired picture. Central recessedpanel I may, on the other hand, have been initially sensitized, and thepicture directly printed on such panel, thus forming a complete pictureand frame in one piece.

If desired, the paper or cardboard forming the blank may be ornamentedprior to cutting to give any desired attractive effect. For instance,the paper may have a design in th form of a wood grain, and thus give tothe picture frame all the appearance of a'wooden frame. I

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, theblank may have the same recessed panel If), the fold lines ll, I12, I3and 54' forming inner side walls I5 and I6, and the diagonally-extendingside walls [9' and In this case, however, the outer side walls 40 and 4|are illustrated as being somewhat more shallow than are the outersidewalls 2i and 22 in the first embodiment. Extension portion 24' isshaped similarlyto extension portion 24 in the first embodiment, andedge 35 abuts against this extension. The cutout portion in this blankis somewhat differently shaped, however. Diagonal edge 42 of thiscut-out portion is substantially similar to diagonal edge 26 in thefirst'embodiment, but this edge continues beyond fold line H andterminates in a short tab- 43, Which'is further defined by a transverseout. Diagonal edge 45, in this case, extends somewhat further underdiagonal edge 42, and thus affords even a greater measure of supportthan does that portion of the blank adjacent to diagonal edge 28 in thefirst embodiment. Edge 45 terminates in a transverse edge 45, and a outline 41 defines a tab 48.

When the several portions of the 'blank are folded in the manner shownin Fig. 3, edge 42 rests upon that portion of the blank adjacent toedge45, and when 'outer side walls 4!! and 4| are bent to assume a positiongenerally parallel with inner side edges l5 and IS, the extension tabs43 and 48 may be interlocked in the manner shown, thus giving th cornersections an attractive finish without, however, requiring any adhesive.If desired, of course, these tabs could be adhesively secured to theopposed outer side walls.

The exact cross-sectional contour of the lateral frame portions is, ofcourse, a matter of choice, and this contour may be modified withoutdeparting from the invention. For instance, diagonal wall I9 may bepositioned at an obtuse rather than an acute angle relative to'centralpanel II], or it may, if desired, be substantially parallel with panelit. Also, outer side Wall 2! may occupy some angle other than a rightangle to the central panel, and. the same is true of inner side wall l5.Also, if desired, outer side wall 2| may be eliminated entirely,

While I have herein shown and described a number of forms or embodimentsof my invention for illustrative purposes, and have disclosed anddiscussed in detail the construction and arrangement incidental toseveral specific applications thereof, it is to be understood that theinvention is limited neither to the mere details or relative arrangementof parts, 'nor toits specific embodiments shown herein, but thatextensive deviations from the illustrated forms or embodiments of theinvention may be made, without departing from the principles thereof.

What I claim is:

A picture frame fonrned from a single blank of sheet material, saidblank including a centrallydisposed, generally-rectangular sectionforming a recessed central panel for the reception of the picture, aninner side wall, an outwardly-extending diagonal wall, and an outer sidewall, the inner and outer side walls lying on substantially a rightangle to the plan of the central panel, such walls being formed alongeach edge of the central panel, the several walls being defined byspaced fold lines, each corner of the blank having a cutout portion topermit the adjacent terminals of the respective Walls to be joined inabutting relationship, one terminal of each diagonal wall eX- tendingbeyond the terminal of the adjacent diagonal wall, underlying suchterminal and forming a support therefor, and an extension tab formedalong the edge of one outer side wall at each corner section of theblank, one tab at each corner section having a transverse cut thereinand the adjacent tab having a complemental transverse cut, whereby thetabs at the several corner sections may be secured together to set upthe frame without the use of adhesives.

STANLEY MADSEN.

